Craig MacTavish looks like he has made his decision for his goalies next season. A day after signing Ben Scrivens to a two-year deal, he traded Ilya Bryzgalov to Minnesota for a 4th round pick, and then he acquired Viktor Fasth from Anaheim for 5th round pick in 2014 and a 3rd round pick in 2015.

I see Scrivens as more of a starter than Fasth.

Fasth is 31 years old and he has played 30 NHL games over the past two seasons. He has a .915 SV% and a 2.32 GAA. Prior to last year he played in the Swedish elite league. He has been banged up this season.

He has one year remaining on his contract and he comes with a $2.9 million cap hit.

They will battle for the starting job, and it is obvious that MacTavish wants to have solid goaltending, especially because the D corps will still be young next season. The timing of the Fasth trade is a bit surprising to me, but clearly MacTavish didn't want to wait and miss out in free agency.

Thought on the trades?

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St. Louis traded for Ryan Miller who makes over 4.5 million. Corey crawford sign a monster extensions paying him 6 million average a year until 2020. Jimmy Howard is making over 5 million for the next 6 years or so. BRyzgalov's average cap hit with the philly contract was 5,666,667. Jonathan Quick signed an extension giving 5,800,000 until 2023. I fail to see where the cheap tandems are with these teams. The Oilers now have 2 goalies that while not fully proven, have demonstrated capacity, and together make around the same as the starter on those teams you mentioned.
The lesson from those teams is once you find a bona fide starter you keep him until the end of time. The back up is not going to play that much, so he can be changed often or be moulded from good prospects. That's the winning recipe, not being cheap with a dubnyk la barbera duo.
I agree that it doesn't matter who is goalie if the d is not upgraded.

All fair points, but Crawford and Howard were not making that cash when the teams were winning and contending for cups initially / recently. I'm just saying that it's better to have a cheap 1A 1B then an expensive disaster.

Obviously ideally you want the star goalie who is gonna take the team there through the post season and go on a hot run, but those guys do not grow on trees. They are often had for cheap from other teams or lower divisions, then they come and prove themselves as legitimate. Hopefully, in one of these two, the Oilers have found that guy. But for now, I'm just glad they're not paying for it, so they can put the money elsewhere.

A lot has been made lately of selling everything to acquire these high profile proven guys. But the Oilers do not need Quick and Weber. They need the next Quick and Weber. Finding that is the sole job of the GM and our scouting team.

Which is another reason I have been impressed with Mac T so far. He's given up very little to get back better pieces. And the pieces that did not work out, are not long term. Eventually he will have to take a risk, but so far, very smart management.

Sweeet!!!Wait a minute, "backup", f*ck that, give her the start!!!!!!!!!!!! Wonder how many guys do the old flyby with her in net. We would be a lot tougher in our own end(fear of having her kick your ass!!!!).

I like the Fasth addition especially at that price. The best thing is MacT still has all of his personnel assets to focus on the defense during the summer. He also does not have to focus on a finding a 1B goalie n the off season.

Glad he didn't get a big name goalie, this team is not ready for that and it would be a waste of years on that contract until we were. Once this team makes the playoffs, then if a better goalie is required, that's when you get one.

huh, I have to believe Vancouver could have done better last year for Luongo.

I would say they dumped a ton of salary but I feel like under the new CBA they retained a large portion of Lou's cap hit. It really seems like Van is not pushing for the a spot this year and is going to be sellers.

Goalies are such a crap shoot that I agree it's better to go with a 1A 1B tandem that comes cheap ala Chicago, St. Louis, and Detroit, rather than spend and sink like Carolina, Philly (Bryz), and Nashville.

I also agree that it won't matter if the Oilers go back in time and get Roy in his prime, if our defence still lacks, any goalie will be hung out to dry.

I am enjoying his impatience in solving problems well ahead of next season. The guy is getting the work done and scratching items off his shopping list.

Veteran top 2 D, and either Stasny or Legwand and we have a whole new team next year. Nice to see he will have a ton of money to finally get some high profile free agents.

St. Louis traded for Ryan Miller who makes over 4.5 million. Corey crawford sign a monster extensions paying him 6 million average a year until 2020. Jimmy Howard is making over 5 million for the next 6 years or so. BRyzgalov's average cap hit with the philly contract was 5,666,667. Jonathan Quick signed an extension giving 5,800,000 until 2023. I fail to see where the cheap tandems are with these teams. The Oilers now have 2 goalies that while not fully proven, have demonstrated capacity, and together make around the same as the starter on those teams you mentioned.
The lesson from those teams is once you find a bona fide starter you keep him until the end of time. The back up is not going to play that much, so he can be changed often or be moulded from good prospects. That's the winning recipe, not being cheap with a dubnyk la barbera duo.
I agree that it doesn't matter who is goalie if the d is not upgraded.

Hemsky was pretty good for the Oil in their 2006 playoffs. Part of the problem for him is that injuries caught up to him after taking so many licks over the years, so he's backed off a bit to stay healthy. But don't you think that if Hemsky is on a team making a serious run, and maybe thinking ahead to his next contract, that he might put it back out there again? Hemsky would be a good gamble for the right team.

If all you give up for hemsky is a 2nd rounder, if be all over it if my team was going to the post season

I like it. Two goalies who are at least solid, and at best, could be a top-end starter(s) with this opportunity to claim the spotlight. Considering both have run up against goalie logjams in their NHL careers to date, and MacT has completely cleared the way for these two, we could have a couple hungry goalies in the prime yrs of their careers.

I like that they are also coming from successful teams with great goaltending. Hopefully they can bring some of that culture and experience to the Oil, and start bringing some confidence back to the guys up front.

With the new blood in net and the previous goalie mentors and projects moved along, I'm hoping MacT sees this also as an opportunity to start fresh with a new goalie coach. The current group hasn't got much (anything?) to show for its efforts in recent yrs, so I can't think if any reasons why he wouldn't want to support the Fasth / Scrivens combo with a proven goalie coach, maybe even one with experience working with one of these guys, to give them the best chance to succeed on this crazy team, where facing 59 shots in a game is a real possibility!

Goalies are such a crap shoot that I agree it's better to go with a 1A 1B tandem that comes cheap ala Chicago, St. Louis, and Detroit, rather than spend and sink like Carolina, Philly (Bryz), and Nashville.

I also agree that it won't matter if the Oilers go back in time and get Roy in his prime, if our defence still lacks, any goalie will be hung out to dry.

I am enjoying his impatience in solving problems well ahead of next season. The guy is getting the work done and scratching items off his shopping list.

Veteran top 2 D, and either Stasny or Legwand and we have a whole new team next year. Nice to see he will have a ton of money to finally get some high profile free agents.

Good comment until i read: "...Legwand and we have a whole new team next year."

Why do people think Legwand will be of any use here in Edmonton? He is terrible, and has the worst +/- on a DEFENCE FIRST TEAM in Nashville.

I'd almost rather keep Gagner, and i HATE Gagner (The player, not the person)

Let's not blame everything on the D, the forward unit(s)as a whole don't come back to support the D. We constantly loose O Zone puck battles that create scoring opportunities, there is little to no puck support (and it is not just Yak)...I watch that play out night after night.

In terms of FA's wanting to come here to get some Northern Exposure; I assume most players want to avoid this dysfunctional mess at all costs, we are a place of last resort, a paycheck. In fact we probably rank lower than the train wreck on Long Island in terms of a desirable destination. Opps I forgot about Buffalo...

We need new leadership (AKA ownership) but alas like the Islanders we are stuck with ownership and management who think they are smarter than everyone else. And fools like me care.

Great point. I think my hope is that a center like Legwand on the second line would help the two way play of the top six.

As I see it now, our third line is very 2 way responsible. If Lander can find success on the fourth line, that will help the two way play a lot. Nuge is getting better all the time and seems committed to a 200 foot game. And Legwand comes from Nashville. Stasny I would say is a bit more offensive minded but wins more faceoffs so maybe he doesn't need to be so defensive.

I am also tired of the lack of try. Other than Gordon, Hendricks, Gazdic, Hemsky (how did that happen?) and Perron, it's hard to find the fire on this team.

Quick sidebar, I wish this team had ten Perrons

I think Mac T is turning the culture around. He just doesn't seem to whitewash the poor play of his team, and he understands and publicly acknowledges the areas of weakness. From what I've seen he has been trying like hell to fix those areas of weakness.

I do not believe the free agent thing that players do not want to come here. J. Schultz is a prime example. Once this team starts winning, everything will turn around.

Finally, I am baffled as to why players want out of the Islanders. Live in New York, less pressure than the Rangers, play with one of the best rising stars in the NHL. It makes no sense.

Great point. I think my hope is that a center like Legwand on the second line would help the two way play of the top six.

As I see it now, our third line is very 2 way responsible. If Lander can find success on the fourth line, that will help the two way play a lot. Nuge is getting better all the time and seems committed to a 200 foot game. And Legwand comes from Nashville. Stasny I would say is a bit more offensive minded but wins more faceoffs so maybe he doesn't need to be so defensive.

I am also tired of the lack of try. Other than Gordon, Hendricks, Gazdic, Hemsky (how did that happen?) and Perron, it's hard to find the fire on this team.

Quick sidebar, I wish this team had ten Perrons

I think Mac T is turning the culture around. He just doesn't seem to whitewash the poor play of his team, and he understands and publicly acknowledges the areas of weakness. From what I've seen he has been trying like hell to fix those areas of weakness.

I do not believe the free agent thing that players do not want to come here. J. Schultz is a prime example. Once this team starts winning, everything will turn around.

Finally, I am baffled as to why players want out of the Islanders. Live in New York, less pressure than the Rangers, play with one of the best rising stars in the NHL. It makes no sense.

Understood.

The Oil can turn it around with the right plan and brain-trust. I don't have a PhD. in Hockey, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where the gaps are and at the very least put together a competitive team. Playoffs maybe.

Winning and a winning attitude along with the almighty dollar will indeed bring players here, but that attitude needs to come from the top down (hell the leadership on the team as well)- right now that attitude is not here.

The Oil are a unique animal in North American sports. The fact that they have had so many years of finishing last (or close to...) is puzzling. And having had high draft picks year in and year out yet these draft picks have had little effect on the stat that matters- WINS.

Oiler fans are burdened by the epic teams 1980's and the dream THEY can rebuild something that even comes close to that group -- they can't-- there are no more Gretzky's, Coffey's, and Messier's et al.to be found. This generations greats Crosby, Malkin, Kane and Towes are never leaving their teams.

My frustration is the lack of progress (and sorry for the Obama pun) "hope". I hope we as a fan base are not entering what I call the Chicago Cubs Syndrome, whereby loosing is looked at as the norm and acceptable as the season shouldn't end in December and the June draft shouldn't be the only ray of light!

At least our NHL goaltending is no longer on the agenda for the off-season. We have other holes to fill so it's just one less thing to worry about.

That Luongo deal is hilarious. Seriously, what in the world is Gillis doing in Vancouver? He has destroyed that team. He went from having two top-15 goaltenders to having none. Markstrom is a solid prospect but he hasn't been able to transition his game to the NHL quite yet. The Canucks are falling apart at the seams and I love it. I can't wait until they are forced to settle for a lesser deal in the off-season for Kesler when teams refuse to pay their high asking price at the deadline.

Best thing about this deal is under new CBA vancity is on the hook should Lou decide to retire early or get bought out,lmfao. But yes good for Lou, back to the world of no state income tax!!!!

Jeez, by the sounds of things, if Lou retires early its a big hit against the Canucks. Um, is there any chance that Luongo is pissed at that organization...because revenge would be served sweetest at the end of his career, as he is going out the door, saying, oh yeah, Vancouver, you are going to pay for what you did to me. Very unusual for a team to leave itself open to such a punishment, and to leave it all in the hands of a player that you have consistently pissed off and shocked, while he maintained a classy demeanour through it all. Now Kesler wants out...hey, this couldn't happen to a more suitable team, organization, or group of fans. Maybe those annoying Nuck fans (I know, not all of them...but a lot!) will finally get a grip. But I doubt it. Luongo is a classy guy with a great sense of ha-ha. Florida would be a really nice play to live, maybe even retire EARLY. Maybe REALLY EARLY. Now THAT would be funny...

huh, I have to believe Vancouver could have done better last year for Luongo.

I would say they dumped a ton of salary but I feel like under the new CBA they retained a large portion of Lou's cap hit. It really seems like Van is not pushing for the a spot this year and is going to be sellers.

Sad day for the once proud Northwest division.

Mike Gillis won't be the Canucks GM when Luongo retires. It is the problem of the GM then, so why should Gillis care whether or when Lou will retire?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not feeling that terrible in the grand scheme of things as he does get paid to play a sport that we all love and he can still play somewhere.

I think it was more that he has just had a spectacular fall from grace this season, to go from an undisputed number one on a team (he was going into the season ) to basically being cast off can't be a good feeling no matter how much you make.

I will give some credit as he seemed to do it the hard way and just worked his way up and on paper made a steady progression, hit the peak and now who knows. He didn't come off as a d*ck like some players seem to be. He came off as a pretty sensible nice person which is hard to do as money changes people.

He is in a good life position and I wish him all the best wherever he decides to go.

It sucks every year that we always the seller waiting for the summer, when you watch other teams loading up on players for the playoffs. I think it might reach the 10 years mark when the Oilers might have a playoff appearance.

Some people are saying that we should have traded for more "proven" goalies. To paraphrase Lowetide, "goaltending development is witchcraft" and you never know when a goalie makes it or is just a one year wonder.

Getting proven starters like Ward, Miller, Halak could have been done but we'd be paying premium prices for name recognition and not much else. Even if we bought, we'd be buying these guys on the downslope of their careers.

The best time to "buy" on a goalie is before they get the name recognition not after. Scrivens or Fasth could turn out to be the next Rask, Varlamov, Bishop, Kipper, or Bobrovsky. Or they could be Raycroft.

Really, you're always taking a gamble when you acquire a new goalie. I like the MacT version of taking "low cost" gambles. Two 3rds and a 5th for average or above average goaltending? Sounds good to me.